July 10, 2011, Mt. Hood. One more circum nav

Had to squeeze it in this year.  Saw the TR on July 3rd.  Also saw more recent tracks?  This may be the last CN for spring 2011.

In general conditions were worse on the west side but good on the east side.  The snow was good all around, but covered w/ dirt on the lower SE corner of the mountain.

Details: Leauthold Couloir looks like hell - several runnels, Reid Gl. melting out - open cravasse next to Yokum Ridge.  Center of Reid looked good, runnels before Yokum Ridge and icy spots, Sandy Gl. OK, Sandy head wall looked surprisingly good, runnels and icy before McNeil Ridge, Glisan and Ladd Glaciers OK, Coe Gl. icy on debris otherwise OK,  Elliot OK, Elliot E. morrain firm snow w/ several cravasses near the base, Newton Clark in good shape, Wy'East face looks great, White River Gl. OK.  Snow gullies between Wy'East and White River are covered w/ dirt/dust, bare dirt between White River Glacier and parking lot below 8,000.

Eleven hours round trip car to car - a bit slow due to conditions on the west side.  Personal best is nine hours.

Some pics:

https://picasaweb.google.com/chris.j.riedener/MtHoodCircumNav2011?authuser=0&feat=directlink